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Post by Dave M on Aug 8, 2008 10:23:54 GMT
Vv - I have heard that the "roe-boe" pronunciation was the norm, way back, and that traffic lights, when first introduced, were so named and pronounced: He failed to stop when so signalled by the "robo".
A quick google produced current examples of the word still in that use (though I don't know about the pronunciation): from a discussion on the Zimbabwean Highway Code: The Code states that when approaching a robot, you should be prepared to bring your vehicle to a gentle halt.
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Post by Pete on Aug 8, 2008 19:32:53 GMT
[...] *Obviously a more modern robot would be electronic. On that (side-)note, how many people here pronounce robot as robo (i.e. with a silent t)? I feel that I (and the manufacturer of a brand of automatic car wash - ROBOwash) might be the only ones left (at least in Oz). Like the play? For ages I thought it was pronounced as if it was "Waiting for Go Dot".
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Post by SusanB on Aug 8, 2008 20:35:40 GMT
Dave M, I like the idea of slowing down if approaching a robot. Good advice! I was going to exalt you, but I read Verbivore in another thread first, and so my exalting ability was used there instead. Perhaps someone else would kindly exalt you on my behalf? (I may have forgotten I wanted to do it by the next time I'm here!)
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Post by Tone on Aug 8, 2008 20:52:29 GMT
>As a person or occupation, we have [...]
* (plumber?)<Bloody pipe-fitters, these days. And "roofers" banging a bit of lead flashing on roof tiles doesn't count if you don't planish it and solder the joints! (Yes, I was, many and many a year ago. ) Tone
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Post by Twoddle on Aug 8, 2008 21:09:05 GMT
>As a person or occupation, we have [...]
And "roofers" banging a bit of lead flashing on roof tiles doesn't count if you don't planish it and solder the joints!
Yes, indeed, those were the days! If they didn't do their lead flashing correctly, they'd be planished from the kingdom!
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Post by Dave on Aug 10, 2008 0:38:05 GMT
On that (side-)note, how many people here pronounce robot as robo (i.e. with a silent t)? Do you pronounce the t in robotic/robotics?
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Post by Geoff on Aug 10, 2008 3:39:32 GMT
Do you pronounce the t in robotic/robotics? On that note, I see that the Macquarie Dictionary supports the pronunciation of the 't' in 'often', as one of two alternative pronunciations. I've never looked it up before even though I 'offen' say to one of our local TV news readers (to the TV, actually) that there's no 't' in 'offen'. Do you pronounce the 't' on 'often', and what do other dictionaries say?
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Post by Dave on Aug 10, 2008 5:52:43 GMT
Do you pronounce the 't' on 'often', and what do other dictionaries say? Webster's gives both pronunciations; I use 'offen.' However, if I had to use (or read) oft, the t would be pronounced.
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Post by Verbivore on Aug 10, 2008 7:24:06 GMT
Do you pronounce the t in robotic/robotics? I pronounce robotic(s) with the t. [...] Do you pronounce the 't' on 'often', and what do other dictionaries say? I pronounce often without the t = offen but, of course, pronounce the t in oft. The SOED gives offen first, then often. Chambers (new 9th): offen, awfen, often. M-W Collegiate (10th): offen, oftenMacquarie: offen, oftenMacquarie International (a.k.a Encarta): offen, often, offtenCollins Australian (5th): offen, oftenCollins (7th): offen, oftenCOD (4th - 1951): awfen, offen
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Post by Pete on Aug 10, 2008 11:23:51 GMT
Do you pronounce the 't' on 'often', and what do other dictionaries say? Webster's gives both pronunciations; I use 'offen.' However, if I had to use (or read) oft, the t would be pronounced. Offen, always.
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Post by Tone on Aug 10, 2008 20:23:31 GMT
Offen, ofTen.
I've got to admit to varying between them. (Pretty much at random.)
Tone
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Post by Geoff on Aug 10, 2008 22:15:39 GMT
Looks as if I'll have to stop correcting the news reader.
Sorry for the diversion. Now, back to the 't' in 'robot'.
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Post by Alan Palmer on Aug 11, 2008 5:52:46 GMT
I pronounce the t.
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Post by Tone on Aug 11, 2008 20:32:34 GMT
>I pronounce the t.<And I rhotic the "r". Tone
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